Nope.
Inevitably acrimonious racism discussion
Not in the slightest. IMO I hasten to add. 
Yep.
Rest assured somebody will play the race card!
But.. so what?
The sad thing is yes it would, and it would never be made.
On the flip side, your right
How you approach such a serious issue through comedy is a tough one, but perhaps one not to be shirked.
Quote: sootyj @ July 22 2008, 11:09 PM BSTThe sad thing is yes it would, and it would never be made.
You can't know that!
I suppose the question is how to handle such a complex issue, with out flaming racist feelings among others.
Ok made with great difficulty, check out the articles.
Even if it might not get made, that's no reason not to write it IMO. What about art for art's sake? That's how a lot of the best stuff gets written I think. Of course, what do I know?
One foot in the position?
6 feet plunererd?
Interesting choice of words there Frankie.
Quote: Griff @ July 22 2008, 10:58 PM BST...it occurred to me that a Tanzanian witchdoctor who wants to make magic potions out of your feet would pretty much fit the bill.
That could possibly be the best sitcom character ever. Handled correctly of course.
Quote: Griff @ July 22 2008, 11:14 PM BSTWell I'm writing it for Sitcom Trials so I'm not really expecting it to be "made" as such. But I don't want to automatically bar myself from getting my script performed. One of the characters in one of my sitcoms last year was Asian, based on someone I know, and on the first night of performance I discovered that "Narinder" had turned into "Melinda", played by a white actress. (As it happened, she was very good but that's not the point.)
Also I don't really want to address any issues, just get some laughs out of flat-sharing with a psycho witchdoctor.
Oh f**k it. I will write it and if they don't use it, that's one less night I have to trek into London desperately rounding up millions of friends to vote for me.
The problem with Sitcom Trials is it is only 20 mins long and has to be performed on a stage. It really is a challenge.
On another note I have a one-scene bit part character who works in a corner shop. I really want to avoid stereotypes, but I can't see him being anything other than Asian, because he is only in one scene and stereotypes instantly help the viewer understand the character without any need of me setting it up. Is that wrong/lazy writing?
Maybe.
Asians do run corner shops! Well, there are three 'corner shops' here at the end of my street and all run by Asians. Of course, I suppose that makes them a stereotype? I must let them know!
Quote: Frankie Rage @ July 22 2008, 11:30 PM BSTAsians do run corner shops! Well, there are three 'corner shops' here at the end of my street and all run by Asians. Of course, I suppose that makes them a stereotype? I must let them know!
Stereotypes are based in reality 
Quote: Griff @ July 22 2008, 11:30 PM BSTIt's not a massive crime or anything. But there are other stereotypes you could use - the bored gum-chewing shopgirl, the over-helpful shopkeeper who is really annoying, the bossy shopkeeper "only two schoolchildren in my shop at one time please", all of which would also establish that you are in a shop.
The thing I always get told about bit parts is - imagine that you had to play that part. You'd want some dialogue and characterisation you could have a bit of fun with, wouldn't you, even if it was only for a couple of lines ?
Cheers Griff, that helps.
A little more help pls - is this ladling the exposition on too think? I need to give a character this backstory as it is hinted at throughout the script, (the plot doesn't hang off it, but it does give the character 'depth'):
JOHN: That's it, I've had enough of this. I don't care that you used to be a famous tennis player. I don't care that you lost all your money with a gambling addiction. Give me back my spare key and get out.
Witchdoctors exist and they're generally black and they generally do unbelievably stupid things so it's not racist - it's factual!
Quote: Frankie Rage @ July 22 2008, 11:30 PM BSTAsians do run corner shops! Well, there are three 'corner shops' here at the end of my street and all run by Asians. Of course, I suppose that makes them a stereotype? I must let them know!
Well no, it doesn't make them a lazy stereotype. But if a writer (not Simon per se) was writing a script, and the only Asian person they ever wrote in was a bloke running a corner shop, then yes, that could be perceieved as slightly lazy!
It's good posting at this time of night, you get all the best writers responding. Any quick reactions to my extract?